ONIX Alpha XI1 - Smallest & Most Affordable ONIX DAC - High-Power Portable USB DAC/AMP

[laleeee]

Can you guys recommend a small size powerbank for the alpha and the ibasso cb19 ?

 

[laleeee]

Just an update.
I had bought the iBasso split cord and removed the usb-c cord I glued into the USB-C socket on the Alpha. (I used loctite blue. )

So I tried using it w my Jackery connecting to my iPhone.

You can hear the difference!
The downside is that my USB-C is still loose so I will have to glue it in. Will also get a USB-C extension cable. The iBasso cable is too short
So I'm going to make this into a transportable desktop rig. Velcro to the battery and then out to the phone. Definitely not a dongle dac where I'm walking around.
Honestly I've learned that lesson and will not do that again. The USB-C socket is a weak point for all of these dacs. The iPhone dongle is about the only one I'd use.

Either us my DX180 w downloaded music or bluetooth teather to my iPhone. I could also go w wi-fi and use the phone as a hot-spot too.

"You can hear the difference!"
Can you describe the difference ?

 

[smegel]

"You can hear the difference!"
Can you describe the difference ?

I'm using an old(er) Jackery that someone gave me as a gift years ago.
The company seems to have moved on to bigger things...
Here's something I found at MicroCenter..
https://www.microcenter.com/product/675884/belkin-boostcharge-power-bank-20k-black
(Your other question.)

Even on the lower gain setting, it sounded louder, wider sound stage and clear.
The dac likes power.

I mean its not bad without it... but with it... the iPhone as a source sounds closer to what I can get from my macbook.

 

[Shanling]

Hi guys, can I have a little help with something? I thought this would be the best place. Just purchased this little machine, great, love it, so much better than previous dongles I have used. I have not owned any dongle dac in the last few years so technology and power seems to have moved quite a bit, especially out of the iPhone 15/16 with USB C which is great.

So my problem:

Trying to update the firmware. Mine strangely says firmware version 1.2.3?But looking on their firmware versions I can only see 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 - no firmware 1.2.3

When I follow the steps, I plug in the dongle at the end of installing the drivers, completes successfully. Then open the firmware update application and it fails each time.
Any idea?
I have only just bought this new, is there a chance my device is actually up to date?

Thanks in advance

The firmwares are following the 1.X naming, the third number is for the USB port version.

If your unit is V1.2.3, it means it's one update behind the version V1.3.

Does the update app give you any error message or anything similar?

 

[WolfP]

Can you guys recommend a small size powerbank for the alpha and the ibasso cb19 ?

https://eu.ugreen.com/products/ugreen-nexode-power-bank-100w-12000mah

 

[laleeee]

https://eu.ugreen.com/products/ugreen-nexode-power-bank-100w-12000mah

I want something flatter that fits my phone

 

[bithalver]

Can you guys recommend a small size powerbank for the alpha and the ibasso cb19 ?

blitzwolf a10 powerbank : I have one; thickness is about 16mm.

 

[WolfP]

I want something flatter that fits my phone

Then this might be more suitable: https://eu.ugreen.com/collections/power-bank/products/25188

 

[ShootingStills]

The firmwares are following the 1.X naming, the third number is for the USB port version.

If your unit is V1.2.3, it means it's one update behind the version V1.3.

Does the update app give you any error message or anything similar?

Yep makes sense. Yes on windows PC the drivers install fine, but the firmware app exe doesn’t do anything just comes up with a red error saying something cannot be found. Will have to look again at the precise error.

 

[trevdawg94]

I want something flatter that fits my phone

I'm planning on using this Ugreen 10000mAh battery with this flat USB A extension cable (color AMLE-AF) and putting the dac on top of the battery pack using a right-angle USB C adapter (not sure which one yet, I don't have all of the parts to see how everything fits). If that one's too thick you could also try Ugreen's 5000mAh battery pack instead but it only has a USB C port so you'll need a different cable and it's going to be right next to your phone's USB C port so plug thickness might be an issue if you want to have the battery pack stick properly to the back of your phone. Anker also makes some comparable battery packs but their version of the 5000mAh battery pack was only charging my phone at ~100mA using a wired connection so I sent it back and have avoided their MagSafe battery packs ever since. None of Ugreen's similar batteries have had that same issue for me.

Edit: I should clarify that my phone doesn't have wireless charging (I added a MagSafe ring to my case) so I don't have to worry about draining the battery pack that way but it would be a good idea to see if you can turn off wireless charging on your phone before you get any of these battery packs so your phone won't charge when you don't want it to.

 

[laleeee]

I like this :
https://www.bestbyte.hu/power-bank/...2x-usb-a-2-az-1-ben-kabel-fekete-p411590.html

USB-A output 5 V/2,4 A (12 W) is good for the Onix Alpha ?

 

[pioterd]

USB-A output 5 V/2,4 A (12 W) is good for the Onix Alpha ?

I measured ONIX Alpha power (current) draw during music playing, nearly maximum volume 97/100 high gain, 4V output (unusable - destructive to hearing even on my fostex T50RP) from balanced output - it never exceeded 250mA; on lower (still high but usable) volumes it was like 170-190mA. Using sine wave I was able to "force" ONIX to draw around 420mA current, but it is not a real-use test, but stress test. When 3.5mm SE output is used, current draw is 30mA-40mA lower. So USB 2.0 which is able to give 500mA shall be absolutely enough. If you need some psycho-headroom use USB 3.0 900mA Two SGM8262 inside are not by any means big-power-bricks. I completely do not understand why you guys think ONIX needs more than 1A USB power output

 

[laleeee]

I measured ONIX Alpha power (current) draw during music playing, nearly maximum volume 97/100 high gain, 4V output (unusable - destructive to hearing even on my fostex T50RP) from balanced output - it never exceeded 250mA; on lower (still high but usable) volumes it was like 170-190mA. Using sine wave I was able to "force" ONIX to draw around 420mA current, but it is not a real-use test, but stress test. When 3.5mm SE output is used, current draw is 30mA-40mA lower. So USB 2.0 which is able to give 500mA shall be absolutely enough. If you need some psycho-headroom use USB 3.0 900mA Two SGM8262 inside are not by any means big-power-bricks. I completely do not understand why you guys think ONIX needs more than 1A USB power output

Nobody think ONIX needs more than 1A USB power output but the 2,4 Amper will not destroy the Onix Alpha ?

 

[pioterd]

2,4 Amper will not destroy the Onix Alpha ?

No, voltage is crucial. If it is 5V then whatever it is: 1A, 2A, 3A - it will work. ONIX will take only what it needs.

 

[laleeee]

No, voltage is crucial. If it is 5V then whatever it is: 1A, 2A, 3A - it will work. ONIX will take only what it needs.

Do you tried the Alpha with powerbank ?